The junior running back/defensive back carried 34 times for 201 yards and two touchdowns and returned an interception 29 yards for a TD in a 24-20 victory against Port Arthur Memorial at home.

"He was definitely the driving force for us in the P.A. Memorial game," La Porte coach Jeff LaReau said. "He wears many hats for us, whether it's running the ball, playing defense, returning punts and kickoffs, or lining up as a slot receiver. He's an outstanding young man and a great teammate."

The Titans were undefeated at the time and the Bulldogs trailed 20-10 until the final seconds of the third, when Whitely scored with no time left. He also had the game-winner with 28 seconds left in the game.

"He's a hard-nosed kid," LaReau said. "I knew he could take it."

The victory clinched a share of the District 21-5A championship.

Now the Bulldogs are eyeing a rematch with the Katy Tigers, who dismissed them from the playoffs in 2008 (42-0) and 2009 (37-3). The Tigers went on to play for the state championship both years.

The Bulldogs clearly are better on defense this year, a fact that hasn't escaped Katy coach Gary Joseph in his preparation for their third showdown at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26 at Tully Stadium.

"They've got a good program," Joseph said. "They wouldn't be here in this position to face us for the third time in four years if they didn't.

"They've been very consistent with their program. Offensively, they've got really good skill kids. The running back, the Whitely kid, is a real good back. He's as dangerous a back as we've seen this year. You can't question that. And defensively, they're playing very well. They're as good defensively as anybody in the state."

But the Tigers are more versatile on offense, too.

In 2008, Parker Ray and Brooks Haack, then a freshman, combined to complete 5 of 10 passes for 85 yards with no TDs. Haack and Michael Stojkovic were 7-of-14 for 129 yards and no scores in 2009.

Going into this year's meeting, Haack has 1,903 yards, 30 TDs and two interceptions through 12 games.

"It's going to be a battle, but you expect a battle in the third round of the playoffs," Joseph said.

Freshman 'Horns win

Dobie fell short in its bid to defend its District 22-5A championship this season, but help is on the way.

The freshman Orange team recently completed an undefeated run in district with a 45-14 win over Deer Park, which claimed the varsity title. Joe Gonzalez led the Longhorns with three rushing touchdowns.